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In this update:
- Governor’s Race
- Legislative Races
- State Supreme Court Race
- Congressional Races
- Legislative Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | Hong and Tiffany on “UpFront” | |
Democratic State Representative Francesca Hong said her campaign for governor is encouraged by recent polling but emphasized that the Democratic primary remains competitive. Speaking on WISN-TV’s Upfront, Rep. Hong said her campaign is focused on broad voter outreach and accessibility. In the most recent Marquette University Law School poll, Rep. Hong received 14% support among likely Democratic voters, the highest of any candidate, while 65% remained undecided.
Rep. Hong also stressed the importance of transparency and public input in the state budget process, saying she supports traveling the state and engaging a wide range of stakeholders. When asked about past comments related to police funding, Rep. Hong said her priority is ensuring local governments have the flexibility and resources they need, pointing to inequities in the state’s shared revenue system.
Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate, Congressman Tom Tiffany said he supports keeping Brian Schimming as chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin through November and said he is focused on building his own campaign. Congressman Tiffany downplayed the significance of conservative Supreme Court candidate Maria Lazar’s recent loss, attributing the outcome to low turnout.
Congressman Tiffany said election policy would be a priority if elected, pointing to reforms he believes would strengthen election administration and voter confidence. He also discussed budget process changes, including base budgeting and regular audits of state agencies, arguing that departments should be required to justify existing spending at the start of each budget cycle.
Watch the full interview here.
| AFP-Wisconsin releases new ad in support of Tiffany | |
Americans for Prosperity–Wisconsin (AFP‑WI) this week launched a second round of statewide television ads supporting Congressman Tom Tiffany’s bid for governor, following an initial round of ads released in late March.
According to the group, the ads focus on Congressman Tiffany’s leadership record, his background in Wisconsin, and his position on property taxes. In a statement, AFP-WI State Director Megan Novak said, “Tom Tiffany is a lifelong Wisconsinite who understands the value of running a business and of hard work. The Badger State has had enough of endless tax hikes and spiking energy bills. Voters need relief from the radical policies of Governor Evers and those running in the Democrat primary. Tom Tiffany’s leadership will bring the relief that families and businesses deserve.”
The ads are part of AFP-WI’s broader communications effort ahead of the fall election.
Watch the full ad here.
| A Better Wisconsin Together Inc. releases ads against Tiffany | |
A Better Wisconsin Together Inc. has launched two new digital ads opposing Republican gubernatorial frontrunner, Congressman Tom Tiffany.
The group said it is backing a mid-six figure digital advertising buy that will run statewide across platforms including Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram.
One ad incorporated clips from a recent Congressman Tiffany tv commercial, using them alongside narration that raises questions about Congressman Tiffany’s position on prices, abortion policy, and other issues. After each question the ad plays a clip of Congressman Tiffany saying, “You betcha,” taken from his campaign video.
The second ad focuses on rising costs for consumers, including utilities, health care, and prescription drugs. The narrator states that Congressman Tiffany has opposed measures aimed at lowering prices and highlights his votes in favor of tariffs that the group argues have contributed to higher costs and impacted farmers.
The ads are part of A Better Wisconsin Together's broader messaging effort targeting the gubernatorial race.
| Brennan proposes 30-day gas tax holiday | |
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joel Brennan proposed a 30-day gas tax holiday, citing rising fuel prices across Wisconsin and increased cost pressures in drivers.
Mr. Brennan said the temporary suspension would be offset using funds from the state’s projected $2.5 billion budget surplus, allowing highway and transportation projects to continue without interruption. Wisconsin’s gas tax is currently 30.9 cents per gallon.
Mr. Brennan explains that gas prices in Wisconsin have reached their highest levels in four years, with some areas experiencing increases of more than 30 cents in a single week and prices exceeding $4 per gallon for the first time since October 2022. Industry analysts have warned prices could rise further in the coming weeks due to refinery issues and higher global oil prices.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, drivers in the state consume approximately 200 million gallons of gasoline per month. Mr. Brennan’s campaign estimates a 30-day gas tax holiday would result in roughly $80 million in savings for drivers and businesses statewide.
In a statement, Mr. Brennan said the proposal is intended to provide short-term relief to households and businesses facing higher fuel costs while broader price pressures continue.
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Two more lawmakers announced this week that they are not seeking re-election, bringing the total of lawmakers deciding not to seek re-election to their current offices to 17. Over the last five election cycles we have averaged 26 new lawmakers elected each cycle. New this week are:
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Representative Dean Kaufert (R - Neenah) announced he will not seek reelection in the 53rd AD. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1990 before leaving the Legislature in 2012 to serve as mayor of Neenah, a position he held until 2022. Rep. Kaufert returned to the Assembly in 2024, winning election with 50.5% of the vote. The 53rd AD is one of several key districts the will determine which party controls the Assembly next session. In 2024, Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris and US Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) both won the district with just over 51% of the vote.
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State Senator Andre Jacque (R - New Franken) announced he will not seek reelection in the 1st SD. He was first elected to the State Senate in 2018 after serving in the State Assembly from 2010-2016. The 1st SD is a safe Republican district. In 2024, President Trump and GOP Senate Candidate Eric Hovde both won the district with just under 60% of the vote.
| Incumbent lawmaker reelection announcements | |
The following incumbent lawmakers announced they were seeking re-election:
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Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D - Green Bay) launched his reelection bid for the 90th AD. Rep. Rivera-Wagner was first elected to the Assembly in 2024 with 52.5% of the vote.
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Representative Karen Hurd (R - Withee) launched her reelection bid to the 69th AD. Rep. Hurd was first elected to the Assembly in 2022. She was last reelected in 2024 with 72% of the vote.
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Representative Duke Tucker (R - Grantsburg) launched his reelection bid to the 75th AD. Rep. Tucker was first elected to the Assembly in 2024 with 67% of the vote.
| Non-incumbent election announcements | | |
The following non-incumbent lawmakers announced their candidacy this week:
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Nick Polce (R) announced he is ending his campaign for lieutenant governor and will instead run for the 11th State Senate District. His decision comes after Senator Steve Nass (R - Whitewater) announced his retirement.
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Bobby Lindsey (R) announced he is running for the 89th AD. Democratic Rep. Ryan Spaude currently holds the position. Rep. Spaude has not announced whether he is seeking reelection. The 89th AD is a highly competitive district with Rep. Spaude having last won the district in 2024 with 51% of the vote.
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Scott Fleming (R) announced he is running for the 15th SD. Democratic Sen. Mark Spreitzer currently holds the position and has not announced whether he is seeking reelection. The 15th SD is a safe Democratic seat with Sen. Spreitzer having last won the district in 2024 with 61% of the vote.
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Scott Bales (R) launched his bid for the 1st Senate District. Mr. Bales is a longtime Outagamie County Veterans Service Officer and served 23 years in the Air Force. The 1st SD is an open seat with the incumbent, Sen. Andre Jacque announcing this week that he is not running for reelection. The 1st SD is a safe GOP District.
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Barbara Bittner (R) also announced she is running for the 1st SD. She is the Chair of the Calumet County GOP.
| | Colón launches bid for state Supreme Court | | |
1st District Court of Appeals Judge Pedro Colón announced that he is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A former Democratic lawmaker, Judge Colón said those appearing before him would receive “a listening ear and a fair shot.”
Judge Colón joins Clark County Judge Lyndsey Brunette in seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Justice Annette Ziegler. Liberals currently hold a 5-2 majority on the court, with Justice-elect Chris Taylor set to join August 1. Judge Colón was elected to the Assembly in 1998 and later appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court and the Court of Appeals, where he won a full six-year term in 2024.
| | Three-judge panel dismissed congressional map lawsuit | |
A second three-judge panel has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s current congressional maps.
The lawsuit claimed the map is an unconstitutional “anti-competitive gerrymander,” arguing it limits competitive elections. The panel ruled the case could not proceed because a 2022 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision bars state courts from hearing challenges about the partisan makeup of legislative districts. The judges said they were required to follow that ruling.
The panel also rejected the argument that anti-competitive gerrymandering is legally different from partisan gerrymandering, finding the two claims related. The court said there are no clear legal standards for measuring map competitiveness, and that such claims fall under the same legal prohibition.
The decision follows a similar ruling last month by another three-judge panel that also dismissed a congressional map challenge. Wisconsin’s current map yields a 6-2 Republican split in the state’s congressional delegation.
Law Forward response:
Law Forward, which brought the lawsuit (Wisconsin Business Leaders v. WEC) on behalf of individual voters and the nonpartisan group Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, said it will immediately appeal the decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The group said it disagrees with the circuit court’s conclusion and argues the case should have been allowed to proceed so evidence and legal arguments could be considered.
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty response:
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), which intervened in the case on behalf of a group of voters, said the panel correctly dismissed the lawsuit. WILL argued the challenge was barred by Wisconsin Supreme Court precedent and said the ruling upholds existing law governing congressional maps.
| Burgelis announces bid for 1st CD | |
Democratic Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis, announced that he is running in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, challenging Republican Representative Bryan Steil. Alderman Burgelis made the announcement during an appearance on WISN-TV’s UpFront, stating he believes the district presents a competitive opportunity for Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified the 1st District as one of its targeted seats nationwide as it seeks to regain control of the U.S. House.
Alderman Burgelis joins four other Democratic candidates who already entered the race: emergency room nurse Mitchell Berman of Franklin, UW-Whitewater administrator Miguel Aranda, Iron-worker and union official Randy Brice of Racine, and Lorenzo Santos of Racine. Mr. Berman led the Democratic field in fundraising in the first quarter, reporting over $200K raised and $14,600 cash-on-hand. Representative Steil reported $5.6 million cash-on-hand over the same period.
Alderman Burgelis acknowledged he currently lives just outside the district’s boundaries. A spokesperson for Representative Steil pointed to the residency issue, saying Alderman Burgelis does not live in the district he is seeking to represent. Representative Steil was reelected in 2024 with 54% of the vote, finishing about 10 points ahead of Democratic opponent Peter Barca.
| Legislative study committees announced | |
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate President Mary Felzkowski released their recommended slate of study committees for the 2025-27 legislative session. The study committees include:
- Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations
- Study Committee on the District Attorney Funding Formula
- Study Committee on the Laws to Restore Floodplains
- Study Committee on Cryptocurrency
- Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
- Study Committee on the Definition of “Veteran”
- Study Committee on Cemeteries
Read the full press release here.
| | As of 1:00 pm Friday, there have been no committee meetings scheduled for next week. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration). | | |
Friday, May 8 - Coffee with the Candidate - Ellen Schutt
Monday, June 8 - Meet the Candidate - Will Martin
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If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
Have a great day,
Wisconsin GR Team
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One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
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